International Development Grant
Strengthening Comptrollership and Oversight of Public Expenditure
Project Number: CA-3-A032583001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $10,723,297.00
Start Date: March 04, 2008
End Date: March 31, 2015
Duration: 7.1 years
Project Description
The goal of the project is to contribute to governance through enhanced effectiveness and accountability in the allocation and use of public resources. Its purpose is to increase the capacity of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office (the Office) in Bangladesh to effectively fulfill its constitutional mandate to conduct independent audits and evaluations of public sector operations and provide reliable and objective information to Parliament on the government's financial management compliance and performance practices. The project consists of three overarching and interrelated components: i) Organizational strengthening to improve management auditing and reporting practices functions and operational capacities in line with international standards. Activities include creating and staffing specialized units within the Office. ii) Human resources development to strengthen technical and professional competence and improve operational capacity to produce and disseminate quality audit reports that meet international standards and user needs. Activities include training and staff development including building in-house capacity for training; creating a core group of professional accountants; and building the Office's information technology capacity. iii) Strengthening partnerships and alliances to improve key stakeholder groups' and the public's understanding of the role and importance of an independent Auditor General in promoting transparent and accountable practices in the bureaucracy.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of June 2014 include: (i) improving information technology infrastructure including installing additional cabling and new networking equipment to provide for 200 additional connection ports; (ii) distributing more than 300 computers to different levels of staff of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG); (iii) installing a fibre-optic link between the OCAG network and the Comptroller General of Accounts allowing OCAG to access the government’s financial information electronically to provide concurrent audit oversight of public expenditures; (iv) training approximately 1 600 OCAG staff in basic computer skills; (v) piloting the use of new Audit Management and Monitoring System (AMMS) software in six out of ten Audit Directorates which is strengthening supervision of field audits expeditious audit reporting improved accountability of the field audit teams delivery of better audit services and compliance with international standards; (vi) providing hands-on training on using the AMMS software to 1 455 personnel from OCAG including senior management and auditors; and (v) building a communications unit and developing a communications strategy and plan for OCAG which lead to five press conferences being held by OCAG when audit reports were tabled. These results have contributed to improving OCAG’s ability to effectively oversee government expenditure enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its audit processes and improving the public’s understanding of the role and responsibilities of an independent Auditor General in promoting transparent and accountable practices in government.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Cowater International Inc.
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
OGM Indo-Pacific
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Donor country personnel
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP